Y.O.U & M.E: November 2010

Saturday, November 13, 2010

On the MOVE

On November 12th, Mark and I signed our new rental agreement at a cute coach house in Ladner. Yup, back to Ladner. Our stay in Vancouver was short lived thanks to our incredibly kooky landlords who really should have sought after a hermit or a mute 80 year old as their tenant.

Mark and I were apparently not the "right fit" for them as we have a "need to be social" and the need to do laundry more than ONCE A WEEK! ... really, I'm over it! As humiliating as it was to be asked to end our rental agreement after only about 4 months, Mark has helped me realize the humour in the situation. It was our first home together as a couple, so it was a little bit hard to think about leaving, but here is what I won't miss:

1) The thundering noise from above us: It sounds like they rearrange their furniture on the hour. We aren't quite sure what they are doing up there! I also think they hold a competition with their children to see who can make the biggest BANG from jumping off their kitchen table onto the floor. Well they are all winners! Gold stars all around!

2) Getting nagged about our friends (*cough SHAWN *) closing the DAMN gate so their dog won't escape: I understand they are worried, but I'm pretty sure the dog won't get out when we are standing right next to the gate.

3) Our wet, unfinished laundry being dumped in the hallway: Yes, with one laundry day and Mark and I working, our laundry doesn't get finished by 10:00pm. Our landlords thought one laundry day was enough per week and that this should be no problem to finish in one evening despite both having jobs! Mark and I have decided we are going to roll around in the dirt and do laundry EVERYDAY in our new place... BECAUSE WE CAN!

4) Sleepless nights: I have a hard time getting a good night sleep in this place from what I suspect is MOLD. I have no proof, other than my newly developed asthma since living here and my frequent sneeze and cough attacks in the night. Mark is going to tell our landlords about my asthma --although have not proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that my asthma was caused by this house, he figures she will be the one to lose sleep as she will be in a panic thinking of this possibility. Is this mean? Well, I suppose... maybe we will be the bigger people :)

5) Constant dishes: It hasn't been so bad not having a dishwasher, but boy am I looking forward to having a dishwasher in our new home. I just think Mark and I will be able to enjoy each other's company doing more pleasant things than DISHES! I am thankful for dishwashers.

6) Our low pressure shower: I got used to this, I'm not sure Mark or Shawn did. It does take twice as long to shower with the drip that we call our shower. I am also looking forward to the bathtub in our new place! Nothing like a hot bath after a workout. I heart baths!

What I will miss, you ask? Nothing... well that's not true. It was a great first home.

I will miss the cozy feel of this place. I adore the character these old homes have. I will also miss all of our friends, over 5ft, hitting their heads on our ceiling... not so sure THEY will miss that.

This situation has taught me a bit about grace. As frustrated as I am with our landlords and as much as I want to be unpleasant towards them, I realize this is a chance to show them kindness. It has been a tough task, but if nothing else, it has been a growing experience.

Goodbye West 21st Avenue home.

Love Lisa

PS. Thanks for the boxes, Bercin!!!!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Out with Halloween and in with CHRISTMAS!!!

I had my first official red cup beverage from Starbucks. Drinking my eggnog latte and seeing the white snowflakes glued to the coffee shop window and throwing out my shriveled, rotting pumpkin has been my first indication of the Christmas season. Mark and I made a list of what we want to do this Christmas season together as a new married couple.

Here is our list in no particular order:

1) Christmas Train: We want to continue our tradition of the Stanley Park train ride and petting zoo! The first couple years, we always saw a cow who unfortuntately had the name Lisa. Yes, my self esteem took a serious hit those early years. Lisa has been replaced by a llama--which I am very happy about!

2) Gingerbread house: Mark loves gingerbread lattes...and thus sparked my idea to want to make a gingerbread house with him this year! (He also added gin and tonics...I'm guessing because gin sounds like ginger bread and he wants an excuse to have a gin and tonic.)

3) Christmas Tree Hunt: I am so excited to have a real tree this year. A great Charlie Brown tree. My parents converted to the fake tree and it just isn't the same to me. I am excited for this new tradition!

4) Granville Shopping: Mark always humours me and joins me as I tinker around Potter Barn, Restoration Hardware and Chapters looking at things that are CLEARLY out of our price range.

5) Wreathe: I want to make a homemade wreathe this year. Mark- you don't have to make one...just tell me it looks pretty, okay?

6)Football: This has somehow slipped into the list. Mark wants to watch college football bowls. I am learning that marriage is ALL about compromise.

7) Fabricland: Mark has nightmares from his childhood where he says his mom used to drag him there on errand days. I am also going to drag him there to pick out some fabric for my mom to make us STOCKINGS!!!! I LOVE STOCKINGS!

8) Festival of Lights: If it is in our budget, we are going to go to Vandusen Gardens for their light display!

Happy Halloween!

It has been so long since I last carved a pumpkin, but I decided that this being Mark's and my first Halloween married, we needed to get into the Halloween spirit. Shawn was over watching football with Mark that day enjoying fresh baked muffins and home-made London Fogs that Saturday, so naturally he joined us for pumpkin carving!